Poroshenko Calls for Stronger Allied Presence in Black Sea

Photo RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has renewed a call for “Germany and the allies” to increase their naval presence in the Black Sea in order to be a “deterring factor” for Russia.

Poroshenko said in an interview with Germany’s Funke Media Group on Dec. 2 that “we need a strong, unified, unambiguous reaction to Russia’s aggressive behavior.”

Photo RadioFreeEurope/Radio Liberty

He also said that Russia had deployed a large number of troops along its border with Ukraine, a charge he previously made days ago, and alleged that Russia intends to extend its control within Ukraine.

“Moscow is trying to create a land corridor from occupied Donbas to occupied Crimea by blockading [the port cities of] Mariupol and Berdyansk,” said Poroshenko, naming the two largest Ukrainian cities on the coast of the Sea of Azov.

The allegations come following a Nov. 25 clash in the Black Sea between Russian and Ukrainian forces that saw the Russian Coast Guard firing upon and seizing three Ukrainian naval boats and their 24 crew members.

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